After ten years of observing and interviewing teachers of science, mathematics and technology, Horizon Research, Inc. of Chapel Hill, NC, is releasing Lessons from a Decade of Mathematics and Science Reform: the first comprehensive evaluation of the National Science Foundation's $250 million investment in the Local Systemic Change through Teacher Enhancement Initiative (LSC).

As its name suggests, the LSC program seeks to improve science and mathematics education by providing in-depth, content-specific professional development to large numbers of teachers. Since its launch in 1995, a total of 88 LSC projects have been implemented in 31 states, providing professional development to 70,000 teachers in 4,000 schools in 467 districts—urban, rural, and suburban. The payoff, as detailed in the report, is improved quality of mathematics and science lessons, grades K-12. Moreover, many of the successful projects have become models for sustainable, ongoing programs.

Although this publication is based upon work supported by NSF, any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations it contains are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

What: Release of Lessons from a Decade of Mathematics and Science Reform, an assessment of NSF's Local Systemic Change through Teacher Enhancement Initiative

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2015, its budget is $7.3 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 48,000 competitive proposals for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $626 million in professional and service contracts yearly.